Portable projection apparatus



May 11, 1948.

W. M. LEHMAN El' AL A PORTABLE PROJECTION APPARATUSl Filed Aug. 27, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l Mag.7 11, 1948.

W. M. LEHMAN ET AL 2,441,159

PORTABLE PROJECTION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Y i. I, y '04E51111111101111111111,01111111111111111111 IIA.

"A IIE:4

INI/EN TOR. WQnEU M,T Ehman Wilbur E. @512115115 May ll, 1948.

W. M. LEHMAN ET ALy PORTABLE PROJECTION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR.

Patented May 11, 1948 2,441?159- wenn@ BRQJECTIQs Wendell M.=Lehman, Davenport,1Iovva/, and Wilbur:

The linvention Ydescribed herein. may be manu-V factured and.used byI-or fortheGovernment for governmental purposes, with-out thepayment. to us of anyroyaltythereon;

iectingrthe.. projected .image .so'mthatiilt vmayegbe-a,

correctly observed by Vtle'audience..

Still .f another .object .of .the invention-.is tofproe... videA .an apparatus. sof '.the ltypemeferredtoswhion This invention relates to apparatusfor use with. 5 includes a .transportables base ,unitincludingg a projector 4 ,for .the showing .of 0 motion .pictures or the like and more particularly tolanimproved apparatus of the type referred-to .that-is portable so that it `may-'oe readilyvtransported from one location `to another.

The .invention contemplates andy has for y.its principal olojectfme provision of a portable 'apparatus including awheeled base unit Whichcarries'aprojection` or displayunit foruseinthey showing of imotion. pictures or Vthe likein com@ paratively widely. separatedlocalities where the circumstances are suchthat it'Wouldbe--irnpractical .to' assemble -a large audience .l for a single I showing. Circumstances of the type referred to occur generally in .instances.-where a large number of individuals constitute a collective group.. but are segregated rinto -VariousdetlartlmentsY and sections. These..-in`stances occur "frequently inf business `and manufacturing Y organizations and in educational institutions vand,ialtho^u`gh itis de4 sirable toprovide furthe-display of educational matter ibyivvay of motion pictures -or thel like,-it is not i always possible` or ,desirable --to -gather the entire Lgroup 'of employees or students-:together for a .single .showing of fthe--lm-. lIt :has been found more. efficient .to .exhibit thelrn tos'mall groups and.preferably at or near their normal places fof occupation. yAccordingv to thel present. invention .a suitable apparatushasgbeen .provided for .this Apurpose, '.Whichi is completelylportable and which .maybe -ea'sily.transported.from :one locality to another and through-corridors and on elevators of buildings...

It is an important object4 .of theinvention. to t. provideY ther. apparatus.,..With,4 a lprojection.hood structure that is collapsible. and.extendible.ylooth longitudinally` andglaterally; so that the apparatus.. may., be reducedVa-:in size., for transport .and ex; .-1 tended in size l for .usein theidisplayior projection" of nlmor .thelikev It is .another important., object of thegnvenf i109 i0 Provide thishwdstructuranuh.a transf... lucani Screen, and... t0 provide .a Ymotion.pic-ture proies, por the like for fproiectingimages,..'.onto.. the ',Iea'aC@ of SJCIQQBO thaftpthse images 1 may be 4observed hy,theaudi;1l .viewing thee. fmntfas .0! the Tt is @n ther Qblfctnf .the :invention .to d,are rang'evthe,l 'and the creen in the mane-.t

Vventional .motion picture.;and-recondingsunits;or

means for. raising and lowering.l an. iuppertunit so -ithat .the projection meansaon -the '.Iup'per unit. 1 may.. .be edisposed.at...a height providing lforgthl..

convenient.- showingsfof Y.the picturesgor .other matter... Y.

It is .still .'anothenobject vof the..invention 1.150..v provide a portablennit in vvhiclzifthe;wheelsAmay".v

beremoved from., at least :total weight-.carrying positionrsothat thecbase may .beirig-idlyA suppnrted vimposition.Y

And4 another object ,of ,thefinventiontis to tpm, vide. 1 projection t apparatus. 'that ...may.. be ..Simplyl and inexpensively ,.constructed .an4,i..that may.. be..y easily. operated .by theeadaptation."theretofof .conc

thellik'e. .i

A further .understanding of .thesioregoingnd.. other desirable fobj ects...and` Ifeatures.V of :theli-n-i ventionmayibe hadirom jtheaE011omings'detailed'.i

`ldescription of .a ,.preferred,:,embodimentpiane'.

inventionY as e v`illustrated in the .accompanying-I sheetsof drawingsin which :a

Fig. ..1 is a `perspectiveyieimfnf the apparatusW in transportposition Fig.=2 is .a perspectiveeviewgof.theiapparatus`- with .1',-hefl1pper`l unit elevatedY and .the.;hood. struc@ tures. .extended -Vfor, thesshowingof motion, pic L tures;

Fig..,3 is anv enlarged .fragmentary fview, ..part1y struClaure-anglaxlemountins;1 f.

Fig.f-=.4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view.YA showing the `rnoimtina.,of the.. projectnf.scr.eem 1 Fig.`A 5V is `an:enlargedi `ragnuentamf. f. plan 40,.)Showngptheirelatipnship.between thegmotlon pics..

ture .projeClton and :the =.,means for reversing zthe;L

image proj ected to the screen.; f Fig; 6 is an.;;enlarged fragmentary :detail .view

of .thefaugiliary supporting. means. 'for theiuppen-.e

Fig; L; 7 is ,an t enlangedf. sectional .View .showing.. thevgconstrluction of thev drive .t meanss for elevate ingtheuppenunitu t Thepreerredformsof `apparatus for thefpur'- pose of i1lustration.-includes;a'base unit,l generally-- indicated bygthenumeral: 2comprisingsagnen. ally, longitudinal., horizontahlower framev structurel l `thawing, a trans-verseifralne .L member-"22g (Fig. 3,) Iandiaf painof rearwardly*.cnvergngsside l 3 ing at its end means for the detachable mounting of a crossbar 24. This bar serves as a convenient means for transporting the apparatus, as will be hereinafter more clearly set forth. The rearward portion of the frame 2| includes supporting structure in the form of apair of vertical members 25 which serve to maintain the frame 2| in its generally horizontal position when the apparatus is at rest. The forward end of the frame 2| is provided with a pair of rolling ground supports in the form of wheels 26 carried by the transverse frame member 22. Each wheel includes a stub axle 2l supported in a bearing 28 having upper and lower halves 29 and 3D. The upper bearing half is pivoted at one side, as at 3|, to the lower half and is detachably secured at its other side by securing means 32 preferably in the form of a Swinging bolt and nut (Fig. 3). The nut may be loosened and the eyebolt swung away from the bearing half 29 so that the latter may be pivoted about the point 3| to permit removal of the stub axle 21 and wheel 26. It will be understood of course that any suitable means may be provided for the mounting of the wheels 26 and it is contemplated that such means may appropriately provide for the partial retraction of the wheels 26 from at least total weight-carrying position. When the wheels 26 are removed the front end of the frame may be supported on jack elements 33, or may be otherwise suitably supported. The jack elements may of course be swung upwardly toward the frame 2| when the unit is transported.

The base unit 20 includes an upper frame element 34 generally paralleling the lower frame element 2| and rigidly supported by said lower frame by means of a pair of vertically extending guide elements in the form of tubular members 35 which extend upwardly from the frame 2| from points respectively, at the junctions of the side members with the cross members 22 (Fig. 3) The rear portion of the frame 34 is rigidly supported by means of an upright support 36 extending between the two frame elements. It will be noted (Fig. 1) that the tubular members 35 extend a considerable distance above the frame element 34 while the upper end of the supporting member 36 terminates substantially at the rear portion of the frame 34. The relationship between these elements and cooperating structure will be set forth below. The front portion of the frame 34 is extended forwardly and braced by frame members 31 to provide additional means for maneuvering the unit when it is set up.

The base unit 20 is adapted to carry thereon an upper unit, indicated generally by the numeral 40. The unit includes a longitudinally extending horizontal frame formed generally as a triangle and including a front transverse member 4| and a pair of rearwardly converging side members 42. The members 42 are preferably formed from one piece of tubing, bent in the form of a V, and suitably braced by a transverse cross member 43.

The upper unit carries and is combined with a iirst hood structure, indicated generally by the numeral 50, which is formed at its forward end by a pair of transversely spaced vertical members 5| connected at their lower ends to the transverse frame member 4| of the upper unit 4U and crossconnected at their upper ends by a transverse frame member 52. The frame members 4|, 5|, and 52 thus form a square open frame.

A portion of the upper unit 40 intermediate its ends is provided with a transverse frame member 53 and a pair of transversely spaced upwardly extending frame members 54 are secured at their lower ends to the upper unit 43 substantially at the junctions of the transverse frame member 53 and the longitudinal frame members 42. An upper transverse frame member 55 cross-connects the upper ends of the vertical frame members 54. It will be noted that the structure provided by the frame members 53, 54, and 55 is in the form of a rectangle elongated vertically with respect to the unit 49. A pair of transverse, vertically spaced frame members 56 are cross-connected between the vertical members 54 intermediate their ends to provide a square open frame, and a. plurality of forwardly diverging frame members 51 are connected between the open frame formed by the members 56 and 54 and the open frame provided by the members 4|, 5|, and 52 in such a manner as to provide a structure in the form of a truncated pyramid having the latter mentioned open frame as its base. The pyramidal structure thus provided includes a hood 58 of any suitable material forming an enclosure within the structure thus described but leaving the opposite ends of the pyramid open. The hood 58 includes a plurality of detachable connecting means such as loops 58a spaced along its four sides. The ends of the hood 58 are supported in a light-tight manner respectively in the end frames 55-56 and 4 |-5 |-52, as will be hereinafter more clearly set forth. The smaller end of the pyramidal structure is iitted with a secondary square frame 59 forming part of an auxiliary hood means 60. This hood means-serves as an adjustable extension of the hood 58 and includes at its rear end a rectangular frame 6| having a vertical extension member 62 to which is rigidly connected one end of a longitudinally extending support 63. A bearing 64 is rigidly carried by the upper of the transverse members 55 and serves to carry the support 63 for longitudinal sliding movement so that the frame 6| may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the adjacent frame 59.

The converging rear end of the upper unit 40 formed by the bending of the longitudinal frame members 42 is provided with a transverse platform 65 which in turn carries supporting means 66 for the supporting of a projector of motion pictures or the like as indicated generally by the numeral 61. The supporting platform 65 may be provided with suitable means by which the projector 61 may be secured to the platform in different positions of longitudinal adjustment. The projector 67 is preferably arranged on the supporting means 66 with the axis of its lens transverse to the longitudinal axis of the upper unit 40. The interior of the projector is fitted with means for reversing the image projected by the projector through the opening in the frame 6I on the auxiliary hood structure 60. In the present instance, the means for accomplishing the purpose set forth takes the form of a box-like structure 63 having its edge flanged as at 69 to form a rectangle that cooperates with the rectangular frame 6|. The latter is preferably formed with a suitable gasket 1|) for the purpose of providing a light-tight seal between the elements 6| and 69. A reflecting means in the form of a mirror 'H is arranged in the box-like unit 68 and is disposed at an angle of 45 to the normal line of projection. This medium provides for the reversal of the image aforesaid and for projection thereof through a secondary lens 'l2 carried in the rectangular frame 6|.

The larger end of the pyramidal structure previously referred to (formed by the members 4|, 5| and 52) is fitted with a translucent screen 14 having its rear face arranged within the enclo- 'pivot of the hinge i24-I25 into a retracted position forwardly of and paralleling the upright member 36. Suitable holding means in the form of a clip i29 is carried by the upright member 36 and receives the folded or collapsed members ILI and i22. When the upper unit 40 is in raised position the members I2I and |22 are extended and are securely locked together by means of engagement of the pin |28 with the lower end of the member |22 and the upper end 0f the member |22 engages the under side of the platform 65.

When the apparatus constructed according to the present invention is arranged for transport, the open frame provided on the second hood structure by the frame members III-I I4 is telescoped together and reduced to its minimum size and the frame as a whole is telescoped rearwardly toward the screen 14 after the doors 19 have been closed and locked over the screen. The motor S8 is operated to lower the upper unit 40 to its lower position so that the elements of the apparatus occupy a relatively much smaller space. It has been found that the arrangement enables easy transport of the apparatus through the halls :and on the elevators of most ordinary buildings.

When it is desired to operate the unit, the motor S3 is used to drive the upper unit 40 to its uppermost position, the upper limit switch IUI serving to disconnect the motor when this position of the upper unit is reached. The second hood structure is at this time extended longitudinally away from the screen I4 by means of the telescopic connections between the longitudinal members IIA, IIB and IIS. The opening provided by the members III and I I4 is then enlarged by movement of the -side members I I I outwardly and there is thus provided a comparatively enlarged rectangular opening through which the screen I4 may be viewed. When the doors 'I9 are opened they`lie ilat against the sides of the hood II'I.

As previously stated, the supporting means 66 for the projector 6l on the upper unit 4l] is adjustable longitudinally of the unit. In the event that it is necessary to make such adjustment, a corresponding adjustment may be made in the position of the hood 60 and rectangular frame 6I by means of the adjustable support 63 that is carried in the bearing 64 on the cross member 56.

It will be noted that the apparatus herein disclosed and illustrated is simply and inexpensively fabricated from structural tubular members. It will be understood of course that any suitable equivalent frame structure may be employed. Various other modications and alterations in the preferred form of the invention may likewise be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a base unit having a generally longitudinal, horizontal lower frame, rolling ground supports for said base unit, a generally longitudinal, horizontal upper frame rigidly supported by and above said lower frame, a pair of upright tubular guide members rigidly connected to said upper and lower frames, one at each side thereof, an upper unit including a generally longitudinal, horizontal main frame, means including a pair of vertical members rigidly connected respectively at opposite sides of said main frame and cooperating with tlie aforesaid tubular members for arranging said upper unit for vertical movement with respect to said base unit, brace means carried by said upper unit main frame and including roller means in supporting relation with said tubular members, means cooperable between said units for raising and lowering said upper unit, a foldable supporting element connected to one unit and extensible to engage the other unit to provide additional support for said upper unit when raised, a rst hood section formed as a boxlike enclosure disposed longitudinally of and carried by said upper unit main frame and including at one end thereof a generally upright translucent screen and at the other end thereof an open frame, means on said upper unit main frame for supporting a motion picture projector or the like adjacent said open frame for the projection of images to the inner face of said screen, a second hood section including a second open frame at the outer face of said screen having laterally adjustable frame members providing for enlargement or reduction of said second open frame, means including telescopic connections between said second open frame and said first hood section for mounting said second open frame for movement longitudinally toward and away from said screen, and means included in said second hood section forming a flexible, boxlike enclosure between said screen and said second open frame.

2. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a base unit having a generally longitudinal, horizontal frame, rolling ground supports for said base unit, means vmounting said supports on said frame for normally carrying said base unit in transport and for removal from at least total weight-carrying position, a pair of upright guide members rigidly connected to said frame, one at each side thereof, an upper unit including a generally longitudinal, horizontal main frame, means including a pair of vertical members rigidly connected respectively at opposite sides of said main frame and cooperating with the aforesaid guide members for arranging said upper unit for vertical movement with respect to said base unit, means cooperable between said units for raising and lowering said upper unit, a collapsible supporting element connected to one unit and positionable to engage the other unit to provide additional support for said upper unit when raised, a iirst hood section formed as a boxlike enclosure disposed longitudinally of and carried by said upper unit frame and including at one end thereof a generally upright translucent screen and at the other end thereof an open frame, means on said upper unit main frame for supporting a projector of motion pictures or the like adjacent said open frame for the projection of images to the inner face of said screen, a second hood section including a second open frame at the outer face of said screen having adjustable frame members providing for enlargement or reduction of said second open frame, means including extensible and retractable elements between said second open frame and said rst hood section for mounting said second open frame for movement longitudinally toward and away from said screen, and means included in said second hood section forming a flexible, boxlike enclosure between said screen and said second open frame.

3. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like comprising a base unit having a frame, rolling ground supports on said frame for carrying said unit in transport, upright guide structure rigidly connected to said frame, an upper unit including a frame, means including depending guide structure .rigidly connected .to said upper unit frame `and cooperating witnthe aforesaid guidestruclowering said upper unit, a first :hood/section formed as Aa boxl'ike Venclosure disposed longitudinally of and carried by said upper unitmain frame and including at one end thereofagenerally upright translucent screenand at the other endthereof an open frame, means on said upper unit main frame for supporting'a projector-of motion pictures or the like adjacent said-open frame for the projection of ima-ges to-the'inner face of said screen, a second hood seetionincluding means at theouter face of'sa-id Screenproviding a second open frame, Vmeans including collapsible connecting elements between -said second open frame and-said first hood section for mounting said second open frame for movement toward `and aw-ay from said screen, and means included in said second hood sect-ionforming a flexible, 'boxlike enclosure between said screen and said second open frame.

4. Portable-apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a base unit having a generally longitudinal, horizontal lower frame, rollingground supports for said base unit, means mounting said supports on said lower frame fornormally carrying said unit in transport and'for removal from at least total weight-carryingposition, a generally longitudinal, horizontal upper framer-igid-ly supportedby and -abovesaid lower .frame,a pair of upright tubularguide members rigidly-connectedto said upper-an'dlower frames, -oneat each sideY thereoian upper unit including a' generally longitudinal,- horizontal main frame,- means including a pair oirvvertieal-members rigidly 'connected respectively-at `opposite sides of saldi-*main frame and cooperating with-theaioresaid tubular members for arranging said upper unit for Vertical movement with respect to said base unit, means cooperable between said'units for raising and lowering said upper unit, a collapsible supporting element connected to one unit and positionable to engage said other unit to provide additional support for said upper unit when raised, a first hood section formed as a boxlike enclosure disposed longitudinally of and carried by said upper unit main frame and includingr at one end thereof a generally upright translucent screen and at the other end thereof an open frame, `means lon said upper unit main frame for supporting a projector of motion pictures or the like adjacent said open frame for the projection of images to the inner face of said screen, a second hood section including a second open frame at the outer face of said screen having laterally adjustable frame members providing for enlargement or reduction of said second open frame, means including telescopic connections between said second open frame and said first hood section for mounting said second open frame for movement longitudinally toward and away from said screen, and means included in said second hood section forming a flexible, boxlike enclosure between said screen and said second open frame.

5. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a base unit, rolling ground supports .normally positioned to carry 'said base unit in transport, means mounting said supports for removal from at least total weight-carrying position, means on said base unit forming vertical guide structure, an upper unit, means on said upperunit cooperating with said guide structure for mounting said upper unit forfverti-cal adjustment with respect tosaidbase unit, means cooperable between said-units for raising andlowering said upper unit, a collapsible support connected to one unitand engageable with the other unit `to provide additional support for said upperunit when said upperunit is raised, a generally upright'translucentfscreen on the upper unit, means onsaid upper-unit behind the rear faceof said -screen for supporting a projector of motionpic- =tures or thelike, means positionable betweensaid screen andthe projector for correcting the image projected. by thefprojector to the rear face of said screen so that `the image may be correctly cbserved by an observer viewing the-frontrfaceof said screen, a first hood means positionable-between the projector and said screen, means positioned atthe front'face ofA said screenincluding lan adjustable open frame through which the front face ofsaidscreen may be observed,means mounting said openiramel foradjustrnent toward -andaway from the ffront face of vsaid-screen, means on saidopen frame providingl for enlargement or reduction thereoivto vary the sizeof the Vopening through which-said screenmay'beobserved, second hood` means disposed betweensaid screen-and said open frame, and means with-in saidsecond hood means at the'iront-face of Vsaid screen arranged-for protective positioning over said screen.

fPortable apparatus for use with a projector iorfthe-showing of motion-pictures orthe like, Vcomprising a base unit, rolling ground supports positioned to carry said base unit in transport, van upper unit, meansloetween said units mounting said upper unit for lvertical adjustment with' respect to said base unit, meanscooperablebetween said Y' units f' for raising and lowering said upper unit, a generally upright'translucent screen Aon said upper unit, means on said upper unit behind the rear face of said screen for supporting a projectorof motion pictures or the like so that an image may be projected by the projector to the rear face of said screen and be observed by an observer viewing the iront face of said screen, a rst hood means positionable between the projector and said screen, means positioned at the front face of said screen including an adjustable open frame through which the front face of said screen may be observed, means mounting said open frame for adjustment toward and away from the front face oi said screen, means on said open frame providing for enlargement or reduction thereof to vary the size oi the opening through which said screen may be observed, and second hood means disposed between said screen and said frame.

7. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a base unit, rolling ground supports positioned to carry said base unit in transport, an upper unit, means between said units mounting said upper unit for Vertical adjustment with respect to said base unit, means cooperable between said units for raising and lowering said upper unit, a collapsible support connected to one unit and engageable with the other unit to provide additional support for said upper unit when said upper unit is raised, a generally upright translucent screen on the upper unit, means on said upper unit behind the rear face of said screen for supporting a projector of motion pictures or the like so that an image may be projected by the projector to the rear face of said screen and observed by observers viewing the front face of said screen, means positioned at the front face of said screen including an open frame through which the front face of said screen may be observed, means mounting said open frame for movement toward and away from the front face of said screen, and second hood means disposed between said screen and said open frame.

8. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a base unit, rolling ground supports normally positioned to carry said base unit in transport, means mounting said supports for removal from at least total weight-carrying position, means on said base unit forming vertical guide structure, an upper unit, means on said upper unit cooperating with said guide structure for mounting said upper unit for vertical adjustment with respect to said base unit, means cooperable between said units for raising and lowering said upper unit, a generally upright translucent screen on said upper unit, means on said upper unit behind the rear face of said screen for supporting a projector of motion pictures or the like, means positionable between said screen and the projector for correcting the image projected by the projector to the rear face of said screen so that the image may be correctly observed by observers viewing the front face of said screen, a rst hood means positionable between the projector and said screen, means positioned at the front face of said screen including an open frame through which the front face of said screen maybe observed, means mounting said open frame for movement toward and away from the front face of said screen, a second hood means disposed between said screen and said open frame, and means within said second hood means at the front face of said screen arranged for protective positioning over said screen.

9. Portable apparatus for use with a projector for the showing of motion pictures or the like, comprising a. base unit, rolling ground supports positioned to carry said base unit in transport, an upper unit, means between said units mounting said upper unit for vertical adjustment with respect to said base unit, means cooperable between said units for raising and lowering said upper unit, a generally upright translucent screen on said upper unit, means on said upper unit behind the rear face of said screen for supporting a projector of motion pictures or the like so that an image may be projected by the projector to the rear face of said screen and observed by an observer viewing the front face of said screen, means positioned at the front face of said screen including an adjustable open frame through which the front face of said screen may be observed, means on said open frame providing for enlargement or reduction thereof to vary tlie size of the opening through which said screen may be observed, and second hood means disposed between said screen and said open frame.

WENDELL M. LEHMAN, WILBUR C. RACHELS,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 994,276 Reilly June 6, 1911 1,082,914 Sears et al Dec. 30, 1913 1,208,462 Boernstein c- Dec. 12, 1916 1,372,017 Grant et al Mar. 22, 1921 1,433,877 Exton Oct. 31, 1922 1,460,600 Palmer July 3, 1923 1,746,607 Readeker Feb. 11, 1930 2,150,992 Scott Mar. 21, 1939 2.291.931 Troeger Aug. 4, 1942 

